I Love You, I'll Kill You

Desmond had surprised me when he had apologized to me. It wasn't every day that you heard such sincere words from the cruel and cold hearted vampire. As soon as he had said those words, the tears had come. I had a feeling that my crying had something to do with his sudden kindness. Tears were refusing to stop as he wiped them away, trying to keep my make-up from smearing.

The rose that Cain had given me was still in my hand, its thorns pinching my skin, ready to prick me at any moment. Looking down, Desmond noticed the black rose and curiously lifted his hand to reach for it. I was still too disoriented to notice his actions as he took the rose from my hand and stared at it in his. Holding it in his hands, he stared at it for a moment with a blank expression, but that was soon replaced by pure rage.

Growling and snarling with his fangs showing, he threw the rose onto the ground carelessly, as though it were a foul thing. I was thrown out of my reverie when I am pushed back against the concrete wall of the castle, Desmond snarling in my face.

"Do you have any idea how foolish you are?! Do you want to die?! If you continue to wander away from me, you're going to die. To become Cain's bride, you must become immortal. You're going to die no matter what, but at least I could keep you alive for at least a little longer." All of his words struck me like a spear to the heart. He talked as though he were talking to himself more than me. This wasn't good; his rage was getting the better of him. And he was the one blaming me for wandering off when he was the one who had left me with Bryce.

I couldn't help but stare with shocked and wide eyes, unable to speak from his sudden outburst. My mind told me to run, move, do anything, but my body refused to budge. A low growl formed from Desmond's chest, trying with all his might to contain his anger. I was in a dangerous position.

"Desmond—I wouldn't do that if I were you," a voice came from behind him. Twisting his head slightly, Desmond shot the person a glare as they walked from the shadows. I sighed in relief when Reyes, Desmond's father, appeared from the shadows. Scowling, Desmond pushed himself away from me, finally putting some space between us. His glare stayed on his father for a moment, and then turned to me, making me freeze.

His eyes were so dark; they had changed so suddenly from such a light color to an almost black color. When he saw the frightened look on my face, his features warmed a bit. His snarling face turned into a frown, and he composed himself into something more human. He turned away from me while stuffing his hands in his pockets, his face suddenly looking glum.

"Watch her for me," he murmured as he passed his father.

Reyes was motionless, looking more composed than the younger vampire. "And where do you plan on going?" Reyes asked before Desmond could walk far.

He stopped walking and took a glance to his father figure, refusing to even glance at me. "I need a walk," he replied in a shameful tone before disappearing into the shadows. I stood there, unable to speak. Desmond had been so furious that the look in his eyes was deadly. Would he have really killed me? Was his anger that strong over his body?

"I apologize for Desmond's behavior. It's not easy for him to express his feelings," Reyes spoke while he walked up to me. I was stuck to the wall as though I were glued to it. Reyes's pale complexion was glowing from the moon's light, giving him a mysterious look. When he stood in front of me, he reached his hand out to touch my shoulder. As soon as his cold hand touched my skin, I jolted away in fright. His hand fell to his side, his eyes turning soft at my frightened form. It wasn't that I was frightened of him, but rather the sudden anger that had taken over Desmond.

"I will not harm you, child. Desmond asked me to watch over you, and that is what I am going to do," he said in a soft tone, immediately slowing down my jittery and terrified mood. Holding his hand out, he waited for me to take it. I stared at it with a blank expression, looking to his face, and then back to his hand a couple of time. Hesitantly, I put my hand in his. By now I was used to the cold feeling of skin.

With a space between us, he led me back into the ballroom of bloodsuckers. I had a feeling they were all waiting for me to return by myself, but to their dismay, I appeared with Desmond's "father". Leading me to the middle of the ballroom, he rested a hand on my hip, catching me completely off guard.

"Slow down. The faster your blood runs, the more tempting it is for us to fight our vampire and animal instincts," Reyes warned. I looked to him in horror, feeling more panicked than before. He must not have realized what effect his words would have on me.

He quickly tried to redeem himself. "I'm just warning you, Grace. You need not worry about that at the moment. You'll be fine as long as you are with those of us who are stronger than others. Just move with me and let everything go," he said in a quiet voice, and then began to move, forcing me to move with him. I struggled to act as inconspicuous as possible by putting my hand on his shoulder as we began to dance. I did as he said and tried to let everything go; all my worries, troubles, and thoughts. Even though I continued to try as we dance, I just couldn't help but realize the grace he had over mine. His was flawless. His movements were sly and graceful. My high heel shoes were the main problem. Also, I had never learned the waltz, which was a bit of a problem. Luckily, I was a quick learner.

Reyes was acting like a great teacher. Even though I continued to mess-up on the steps, he merely smiled as a reaction. Sooner than I thought, I got the steps down and memorized. Now I could let everything go. I looked at Reyes without really staring directly at him. He did the same with a warm look on his face, his eyes a warm blue color. They were unlike Cain's in so many ways. Instead of looking dark and evil, Reyes's were warm and bright. It was a nice change. The feeling of letting go was quickly drifting away as soon as it had come. I could feel something strange about to happen. Almost like a premonition.

Turning my head, I searched for something. I didn't know what it was, but it was almost as though it was calling my name through the crowd. I could feel the world suddenly turn quiet, as though the voice were right beside me, whispering in my ear. The rest of the world was on mute. Reyes noticed my wandering looks and tried to catch my attention, but I couldn't discontinue my search through the crowd. Was it a person calling to me? Was I going crazy?

Grace... a voice whispered from all directions, beckoning me to continue my search. My searching eyes stopped on Reyes when I finally noticed that we were no longer dancing, but standing still. His face was now plain, as though all emotion had been wiped from his face.

I gave him a strange look. "Reyes?" I asked quietly. He didn’t reply and continued to stare past me. A cold chill ran down my spine, making me turn a little rigid. This was not good. Goose bumps began to form on my arm from the sudden coldness around me. It felt like ice was caressing my skin. I froze altogether when I felt someone stand behind me. This aura was like Cain's, but somehow different; darker.

"Reyes, my old friend, so good to see you," a liquid voice said in a crafty tone from behind me. I could feel every muscle in my body tense. This voice was sly and perfect, but with a tint of pure evil. To my surprise, Reyes took a step away from me and bowed. With confusion sparking in me and fear refusing to let me turn to see the person behind me, I watched as Reyes showed respect to the man behind me.

"And this must be Grace." He was sounding like he was trying to show all the kindness in the world, but was trying too hard. My whole body chilled into ice when his hand rested on my shoulder, gesturing for me to turn to him. I gave up the fight to go against my body and finally turned my body to stare at the stranger. When my eyes looked up, I stared in complete shock at the sight of the man. His hair was dark blond with some highlights. His face looked like it had been sculpted by a master of art.

But all-in-all, I was terrified of him at first sight. It wasn't that he was scary looking—it was the color of his eyes that scared me. They were the same blue color as Cain's. I took a step back in pure fear. The small smirk on his face only seemed to grow at the small step I took.

"Reyes, you wouldn't be bothered if I borrowed Grace for a dance, would you?" It didn't sound like he was asking. Reyes still remained to say nothing and took a step back with a nod and bow. I tried to take another step back, but my legs didn’t move in the right direction. Instead, they move toward the man in front of me, as though I were being controlled. Without my knowing, my hand connected with his while my other moves to his shoulder. He rested his hand on my hip and began to dance with me. I screamed for my body to stop, but it was no use. The only thing I could do was look with wide eyes at the beautiful man and his twisted smile—a smile that was all too familiar.

"You're struggling against me. Why is that? Do you fear me?" he asked in a serene voice that could put any child to sleep with his lullaby. Without trying to lie, I nodded my head. I attempted to move my eyes from him, but his eyes were like magnets—I couldn't break from them. His smirk grew even more from my reply.

"I do not blame you; most do fear me," he said while he twirled me. His movements were just as graceful as Reyes, if not more. This time my movements were controlled, making me look as graceful as ever. What was this guy?

"My son was accurate about you." I wasn't sure if that was a comment. For some reason, I had a very bad feeling about this.

"Y-your son?" I stuttered, afraid to know the answer. I had a good guess by both the looks and evil aura.

He smirked again. "Yes, Cain," he replied casually, but sounding very proud. It suddenly hit me as to why Reyes was so courteous to this man. No, he wasn't a man—he was a fallen angel. I knew which fallen angel.

"Yes, I am Cain's father. You may call me Lucifer, as most do," he said silkily. If I wasn't under his control, I would have iced up right on the spot. From the smirk on his face I knew that he was controlling my body. The only thing I could do at the moment was stare at him with an incredulous look. I could see from the corner of my eyes the shocked and worried looks of the Cervantes family. Selene's mouth was ajar as the devil and I twirled around the dance floor. Reyes's eyes were looking ashamed, probably feeling guilty that he had failed to do as Desmond had asked of him.

"Take a walk with me," Lucifer said, grabbing my waist and pulling me along with him. All eyes watched us as we walked past the night creatures, acting as though we didn't mind it—well, he obviously didn't. My feet moved without my permission, moving in sync with his steps. I screamed for Desmond in my head, wishing he could hear me.

Lucifer chuckled from beside me. "Attached yourself to the young vampire, have you?" he mocked as he led me out the glass doors of the ballroom and back out into the cold night. My head turned to him—the only thing on my body that seemed to be under my command.

"I wouldn't get too fond of to Desmond if I were you," he continued as he led me through the garden with the brick path. I searched for something to say, but nothing came. His hold around my waist was lose, which was something I was thankful for. The brick path led us through the large garden and ended at an archway. We now stood at a large field; behind it a large and dark forest. It reminded me of what the Forbidden Forest from Harry Potter would look like. It even had the foggy and misty feature to add to it. Lucifer turned to me and forced me to look at him instead of the misty and dark forest.

"Grace, I know that you have not found your specialty. It's not every day that a unique human—such as you—is created. This is why I believe you are perfect for Cain in many ways. You both have powers that bedazzle even me. Do not waste your time on a lowly vampire." A shiver ran down my spine, his cold hand reaching up and touching my cheek, trying to be sensitive. I knew better. I surprised myself when I was able to jerk my head away from his hand, my glare as furious as ever.

"I'll be the judge of who I think is lowly," I growled. My hands clenched into tight fists while fury engulfed me. Lucifer really was good at making people angry. I became angrier when he began to chuckle dark and mockingly. He was just as cruel as Cain in every aspect.

"Ah, Grace, this is why I am confident you're going to be an ideal mate for Cain. Such defiance and spirit—they are always the most pleasurable to watch crumble," he said through chuckles. I took another step back, surprised at how alike Desmond's words had been when he had told me the truth.

"I am not so easily broken." I took a breath to slow myself down, but only anger seemed to be on my mind. He may be the devil, but he could do nothing too serious to me since I was still alive, and he didn’t want me dead now.

"You are a clever girl," he commented while he began to circle me. I tried to follow him without moving my head, but my eyes couldn't handle it. "But let's see how confident you are when put to the test," he said before smoke surrounded him, and he vanished before my eyes. I shivered, his chuckle echoing all around me—one even darker than his son's.

I better get back to the party before I get in even more trouble. I thought to myself, beginning to be freaked by the scary atmosphere the forest was giving off. I turned to run back on the brick road, but stopped and stared in horror; it was suddenly gone. Everything was gone. The garden, the brick trail, everything was gone. The only thing there was now was the misty field—as though the garden and castle had been a mirage.

"W-what?" I stammered, stunned that this could possibly happen. What was I going to do now? I glanced behind me to the dark forest, feeling stupid for ever falling under the power of Lucifer, not that I had a choice. He was truly powerful. They weren't lying when they said Lucifer was as evil as they came. This was a trick of his—a test. My heartbeat was thumping so fast in my chest, it was beginning to hurt. This night just kept getting weirder and weirder. Taking a deep breath, I gathered my thoughts.

What could I do now?

Walking into the dark and creepy forest was not a good option, so I cut that one out of my thoughts. The field was looking as though it went on for miles, so that was out of the question. When you're lost, I learned the best way to be found was to stay where you were and yell and hope someone found you. Being trapped in a different world was beginning to really get on my nerves.

Screaming meant that it would draw other creatures to me. I sighed, crossing my fingers that Desmond would be the first one to find me. Taking a deep inhale of breath, a readied myself.

"DESMOND!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. My voice echoed forever in the misty night. I listened without breathing, waiting for some sort of noise other than the wind blowing across the grass field and the moving of the tree branches. I stared nervously. I had gotten the attention of something; I could hear them making a crunching noise in the woods. My heart began to beat faster, a dark shadow forming from the dark forest, not looking like a person at all, but a gigantic dog. I stared in horror as it snarled in a low tone, walking on all fours with a sly-like step. I bit on my lip to not make any sound.

This was my biggest mistake!

This wolf looked just like the ones I had seen running across the yards back at Desmond's. It looked even larger up close. It was larger than a big horse. Its hair was dark brown with some black spots. My breathing quickened as it snarled, saliva dripping from its mouth while it walked closer to me, and then circled around my terrified form.

I put a hand over my mouth to silence my screams when another one formed from the woods, looking just as frightening as the other. The second was a bit smaller, but not by much. The bigger one looked straight at me with dark eyes, glaring at me. I tried to swallow, but found it impossible to even move. The second wolf glanced to the larger and barked once, as though they were communicating.

I jumped a foot when the biggest lifted its head and let out a loud howl. I covered my ears from the loud howling. The other joined and pointed his head into the air. Their voices filled the cool air, echoing even longer than my voice had. Their heads lowered after a long howl without stopping. When their heads lower, their eyes returned to me. Was this it? Was I really going to be dog food?

The smaller wolf snarled, lowering a bit as though ready to pounce on me. I couldn't cry anymore. Fear had taken over me completely. I stared with wide eyes as the smaller wolf growled loudly. Without a second thought able to pass through my mine, it jumped at me, launching itself with great speed. With the little bit of time of had, I let out a scream of fear with shut eyes, knowing that this was going to hurt. I grunted as it collided with me, but it felt like it should have been more painful. I coughed, falling onto the ground and landing hard. I kept my eyes closed, afraid that there was still more pain to come, but none did.

Confused, I lifted my head up to see no wolf in front of me, ready to snap my head off. I gasped as Desmond stood over me, acting as a protection shield. He was growling at the two large wolves that were facing him, snarling louder than he. I stared in complete shock at the scene in front of me. Desmond's hands were stretching out, giving the wolves a hint that he was protecting me, and that there was no way he was going to let them touch me. I couldn't move from my spot on the ground. The wolves growled for a few more minutes, waiting for Desmond to give up the staring contest, but he didn’t budge and continued to snarl.

The wolves glanced to each other after a moment of snarling at Desmond and changed their posture from a ready to strike stance to a normal one. Desmond dropped his arms to his sides when the wolves began to turn away and walk back to the forest, eventually disappearing into the dark trees. The surprise didn’t lift from my face when Desmond turned to me, a concerned look on his face. He walked over to me and bent down on one knee next to my body.

"Are you alright?" he asked in his tranquil voice. Disoriented, the only thing I could do was gaze at his perfect face. Even in the dark it shined. Without knowing it, tears were running down my face. He lifted his hand and wiped them away with his slender finger. He stood to his feet while grabbing my hand and lifted me up without trying. My legs were shaking. Actually, everything on my body was shaking. My lips were even trembling.

He cursed, "That bastard. How dare he do this to you?" His voice wasn't very angry, but more annoyed than anything. I wanted to speak, but nothing came. This was possibly the hardest night I had had in this world. And here Desmond was supposed to be having his birthday, but instead of enjoying it, he was saving me all night.

"Come on—let's get back," he murmured in soft tone, trying to slow me down. I nodded my head while I tried to remember how to breathe normally. Instead of letting me walk, Desmond lifted me up and carried me back in his arms. His walk was at the speed of a jog. I clutched onto the hem of his jacket, not caring of the cold. As long as Desmond was with me, I was out of harm’s way for the moment.

We made it back to the castle before I knew it. I probably fell asleep in Desmond's arms on the way. All the others on the dance floor stared at us curiously while Desmond carried me through the large ballroom and to his family who were looking very nervous. They were talking amongst themselves. Selene was the yelling the loudest amongst them.

"Desmond! Grace!" she shouted when he notices Desmond walking with me over to them. Reyes's eyes look humiliated when they saw me in Desmond’s arms. I got a few scratches from being pushed to the ground, and my dress had a few grass stains. That's what I got for wearing a white dress.

"What happened?" Lucas asked, walking up to us. I stared plainly at Desmond's tie, just wishing to return to sleep. This night had turned into a disaster. I could feel Desmond shake his head to his brother and the rest of his family. He probably didn't want to explain in front of me. They also didn't know about his connections with the devil and Cain. That could be part of it.

"Grace, are you all right?" Reyes asked when he walked to stand in front of Desmond. Dazed, I nodded my head, the only reply I could muster. From the looks of it, he didn't believe me and shook his head a little. Celeste walked over from the group she was talking to and practically ran over to us.

"Goodness! What happened?" she asked in an exasperated voice, her expression worried. Why did they care? I was just a human—their food.

Darien broke off from the girl he had been dancing with to walk next to his mother. "Is she alright? She looks pretty beat," he said. I tried to take it as a compliment. I could be looking much worse than this at a time such as this one.

"She's fine—she's just in shock," Desmond replied simply. All of his family gave him a strange look. I ignored them and paid more attention to the plain color of Desmond's jacket.

Selene shook her head from side to side. "She doesn't look good, Desmond. Maybe you should take her home," she suggested with a timid expression. Again, Desmond shook his head. I felt as though I couldn't make my own decisions tonight. Everyone was judging me by how I was looking, not how I was actually feeling.

"We can't take her back to the house yet," Desmond said, standing his ground on his decision.

Selene got irritated and put her hands on her hips with a raised eyebrow. "And why is that?" she asked in a snotty tone with a frown on her face, thinking that Desmond couldn't come up with a good enough excuse to keep me in this dang ballroom. To everyone's surprise, he smirked one of his twisted smiles and glanced down to me in his arms.

"I still haven't had a dance with Grace."

My heart stopped. I tensed in Desmond's arms in complete astonishment. Even his family was staring at him with wide eyes. He sat my feet on the ground, but kept his hold around my waist.

"Um...I don't think I can dance," I lied quickly, knowing that I would mess-up in front of Desmond. It would be even more embarrassing if it happened in front of everyone. I frowned when he shook his head.

"No excuses. It's my birthday, and this is what I want from you. Unless you would rather make it up to me later on tonight," he said with a smirk.